The children, staff and families involved in South Abbey National School, Youghal, County Cork worked really hard during the past year to achieve their first Green Flag. This ancient Church of Ireland school, based on a new site for a number of years, is a hub of activity and diversity. Among the 100 or so pupils at the school there are 18 nationalities and 14 languages spoken.

Assisted by children from South Abbey National School, Youghal County Cork, Bishop Paul Colton prepares to raise the school’s first Green Flag.

The patron of the school, the Right Reverend Dr Paul Colton, Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, visited the school in June for a Service of Celebration and to raise the school’s first Green Flag. Bishop Colton said:

The energy and creativity in this school is amazing and is a real tribute to everyone associated with it, particularly the pupils and teachers. I was delighted to have the honour of raising the school’s first Green Flag. After all, one of what we call ‘The Five Marks of Mission’ of the Church is ‘to strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth.’

Members of the Board of Management and school staff welcome the Bishop to South Abbey National School.